The official proposal was conveyed to the Pentagon chief by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who announced that Warsaw would do everything to increase the presence of US troops. For the Polish diaspora in the USA, this is one of the most important signals about the future of ties between the two countries.
What exactly did Poland ask for?
According to Notes from Poland (03.06.2026) and the official statement from the Polish Ministry of National Defense, Kosiniak-Kamysz presented the American side with a letter containing a formal proposal to establish a new, permanent US base in Poland. The letter itself, as reported by the ministry, was dated May 29. This is an important distinction: we are not talking about a new rotation of soldiers, but about a permanent, institutional presence – something Warsaw has been demanding for years.
The Minister of Defense tempered emotions, emphasizing that decisions have not yet been made, “but we are on the right track.” In mid-June, after a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete’em Hegseth in Brussels, Kosiniak-Kamysz reported that the Americans had responded positively to the proposal and were open to discussions. Caution is needed here: a “positive response” in diplomatic language is not yet a signed agreement, and the account of this meeting comes primarily from the Polish side. The Pentagon, so far, has not announced its own, unequivocal decision on a new base.
How many US soldiers are stationed in Poland, and how much does it cost?
Currently, about 10,000 American soldiers are stationed in Poland – a number confirmed by Polish and American media, with the caveat that it fluctuates depending on rotations. Kosiniak-Kamysz indicated in media interviews that Poland spends about $ 15,000 annually per stationed US soldier, calling it an “investment, not a cost.” This amount cannot be verified by an independent audit – it is a declaration by the minister, which should be treated as the government’s position, not as a hard accounting fact. According to TASS, Poland also plans to allocate about $ 250 million annually until 2035 to expand American military infrastructure.
What does Washington say?
The context on the American side is less clear than optimistic communications from Warsaw might suggest. Earlier, in 2026, President Donald Trump announced the deployment of “an additional 5,000 troops to Poland,” citing his relationship with President Karol Nawrocki. Reports of this announcement (including Al Jazeera, NPR, CNN, 22.05.2026) confirm, however, that it came just days after the Pentagon canceled a previously planned transfer of about 4,000 troops as part of a reduction of US forces in Europe. In other words, the real numerical balance remains unclear, and the announcement itself caused confusion even among allies.
On the other hand, the framework for cooperation is very real. In April 2026, the 16th round of the US-Poland Strategic Dialogue took place, and a joint statement from the State Department and the US Embassy confirmed that the relationship is “strong and developing,” covering security, energy, and supply chains. It must therefore be said fairly: declarations are strong, but the final decision on a permanent basis still rests with Washington.
Do Poles trust the alliance with the USA?
Here begins the part that is easy to overlook in enthusiastic headlines. According to a SW Research poll for “Rzeczpospolita” from February 2026, when asked whether today’s USA is a reliable ally of Poland, 53.2 percent of respondents answered “no,” and only 29.9 percent answered “yes.” A later Pew Research study (June 2026) indicates a continuing trend of growing negative assessments of the USA and President Trump among Poles.
Thus arises a paradox that is worth naming: the Polish government is seeking a permanent American presence at a time when a significant part of society doubts the reliability of this ally. This is not a contradiction invented by commentators – it is a tension inherent in security policy itself. It can be read as pragmatism (“a base ties America to Poland regardless of polls”) or as a risk (“we are building a foundation on a partner we ourselves do not fully trust”). Both interpretations have their merits.
Why is this important for the Polish diaspora in the USA?
For millions of Americans of Polish descent, a permanent US base in Poland is not an abstraction. It is a concrete bridge between two homelands: real security for loved ones in Poland and tangible proof that the Poland-USA bond is based on more than sentiment. The presence of American soldiers is also an argument in discussions about the position of the Polish diaspora and Poland in American politics. It is worth, however, for the Polish diaspora to follow this topic without rose-tinted glasses – and with the same principle that reliable journalism follows: trust, but verify. More context on relations can be found in our materials [LINK: summary of Nawrocki’s visit to the USA] and [LINK: Poland-USA relations on poland.us].
Key Facts
- What: Poland formally asked the USA for a new permanent military base; Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz says Poland is “on the right track.” The US side responded initially positively, but there is no final decision.
- When: Letter dated May 29, 2026; proposal revealed in early June 2026; positive response announced after a meeting in Brussels in mid-June 2026.
- Source: Notes from Poland (03.06.2026), Ministry of National Defense (gov.pl), Defense News, Stars and Stripes, Washington Examiner; SW Research poll for “Rzeczpospolita” (February 2026).
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Kamil Brzozowski, Poland.US (Voice of the Polish Diaspora in the USA). Commentary based on press reports and official communications. More at poland.us.
